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Dreaded weed possibly found in North Dakota

Here is a photo of Palmer amaranth. This was not taken in North Dakota. Submitted photo

BISMARCK -- North Dakota Ag Commissioner Doug Goehring said two possible cases of the dreaded Palmer amaranth weed that has devastated crops in the southern United States have been reported in south-central North Dakota.

Goehring said testing so far has found that the weeds are amaranth, but it’s not known if it’s Palmer amaranth. He said DNA testing is being done and should be completed next week to find out for sure.

He said the department has had false findings of the weed before.

The type of pigweed has been found in South Dakota and Minnesota, but this would be a first for North Dakota.

Goehring said they have an action plan in place for controlling the weed.. It would include hand pulling or digging out the weed and then monitoring the site, surrounding area and the watershed for three years. It would also involve intensive scouting of the state for the weed.